§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many civil servants were engaged in her visit to Thailand, Malaysia, Australia and Hong Kong from 7 to 17 September; and what was the cost of the visit.
§ Dr. MawhinneyFour. The trade mission was not supported financially by any Government Department. The cost to the Department of Health was £31,000, comprising travelling and subsistence expenses for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and accompanying officials. The companies involved paid their own expenses and also met the cost of local transport, receptions and seminars for the whole party.
§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the benefits accrued to the NHS, and the value of them, during her visit to Thailand, Malaysia, Australia and Hong Kong; and if she will make a statement.
§ Dr. MawhinneyMy right hon. Friend's trade mission to Australia and the far east was organised by the Association of British Healthcare Industries in order to develop existing trade relationships and seek out new opportunities for partnerships, exports and local investment.
The visit did much to expand the export drive of the British health care industry, which, like that of our other industries, is vital to sustain the economic foundations on which our health and social care system is based.
The United Kingdom national health service is a much-admired model of health care and an international benchmark for comparison. Through National Health 310W Service Overseas Enterprises, the official marketing arm of the NHS in England, many of the skills and services which are available in the United Kingdom health service can be marketed overseas. Profits from these activities come back to the NHS.
As a result of the mission both the NHSOE and the representatives of the British health care industry were able to strengthen their position in each of the countries visited through new and important trade and manufacturing links, including some specific business opportunities.